I caught a taxi for the 30 minute ride to my test at the Doha Driving Academy.  Studied like a maniac for weeks and coached up by veterans of the exam, but still could hardly sleep the night before.  Almost everyone flunks on the first try.  How would you answer this question?

#16  Is this driver making a driving rule violating (overtaking on the right)?
                                                 Yes     []

                                                 No      []


Seems the test is translated from Arabic into English, and sometimes things don't come out quite right.  My book said this was clearly a violation (in fact, they can seize your vehicle on the spot), but my coaches said "don't look at the words, look at the picture.  If it is wrong, say no".  Here's and example of the syntax issues:

A page taken straight from the driving manual!

I puzzled and puzzled till my puzzler was sore, and ultimately decided to go with all that free advice folks were giving me, rather than the book.  I held my breath, hit the "no" button and got the green checkmark, just like I did with all the other questions.  Hooray!  
Well, not so fast...turns out, all that checkmark means is that you finished the test item.  Seems you can only miss 2 out of 20, and I did just that.  90% on the exam, the big green checkmark and I'm one step closer to my license!  I have no idea which questions I missed, and unfortunately I have no advice for Greta, when her time comes.

December 18th, and the week leading up to it,  is pretty wild in Qatar.  National day is meant to celebrate the day in 1878 that the founder, Shaikh Jasim succeeded his father, Shaikh Muhammad Bin Thani as ruler, leading the country toward unity.

During the preceding week there was horse and camel races, shooting and falconry exhibitions, cultural displays and gifts from employers (I can't tell you what Sidra gave away, because I was at Hamad Women's Hospital at the time and didn't get one.  I know what it was, but the are sending it to me later and it's a surprise for Greta).

The actual day started with us getting up at 4:30am to get an early start to hike to the parade site.  We were told it was important to get there before morning prayer let out out at about 5:00, to beat the crowds.  It was good advice!  The evening included the most spectacular fireworks display I have ever witnessed (and people who know me, will understand that is saying a lot) and ended walking the streets watching car after car go by with folks on the roof, the hood and the running boards, honking, yelling and back-firing.  Mostly in the spirit of fun and celebration, but some, seemed pretty dangerous.  Interesting to note the folks will behave foolishly, even when alcohol isn't involved.
Explore the gallery below for selected shots of the day, and follow this link to hear Ana Qatari
an exclusive National Day track by Rayyana to commemorate the day.  
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10846454/Blog%20resources/ana_qatari_track.mp3

As you can see, I'm still shooting pictures out my window.  I was scheduled to take my written test a couple days ago, but it was mysteriously postponed until next week.  Decided to go today, on my own.  Told get there at early, the tests start at 6:00am.  Took a QR 50 Uber ride out to the Doha Driving school, arriving at 5:50 to be told they don't start till 7:00 on Saturdays.  OK, have a tea with milk, check emails at wait.  Come 7:00, I asked where to go for the test and was told "oh, we don't do those on Saturday".  They check my documents for me and turns out I was missing my "letter of no objection" from my employer.  Oh well, the Uber ride back was on QR 42...

Inshalla, I will be able to take it tomorrow.

     I'm starting to really love this arabic phrase.  While it can be translated literally as “if Allah wills,” the meaning depends on who's saying it, how they say it, and what they are responding to.  
      While it can be a genuine wish, such as when the taxi driver said “I’ll drive you again, inshallah,” or more commonly, it can be used as a way to politely tell you, there's not a chance in hell.  Like when I asked if my residency permit would be ready by the end of the week and I was told, "I think so, inshallah" (i.e., it will take divine intervention).  Not likely to make it for drinks tonight?  "I'll see you at 7, inshallah." Got a looming deadline?  "I'll have it done, inshallah."  For all of us in Arabic-speaking countries, it nicely describes the uncertainty of life, and it's continuously applied to all promises great and small. 

To obtain an alcohol permit you need:
      1. Your residency permit and Qatar ID
      2. A letter from your employer written in English. It must state the applicant’s position, basic monthly salary 
          (must be above 4000 riyals or 1100 dollars), if housing is provided and whether the applicant is married.
      3. 1000 riyals that you put down as a deposit.  Nobody knows what this is for, but you get it back when you 
          leave the country.



I got it this weekend. Sweet!  Once I was in, I was surrounded by tons of people running around, grabbing pork and booze, hoping not to be recognized.  I was so giddy I forgot to check prices and bought Greta an $80 ham the size of my fist!  


My friend said they were sure nobody recognized me, inshalla...